Alumni

U of T ranked 2nd in the world in latest QS sustainability rankings

lanthierj — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 13:16:19 +0000

U of T ranked 2nd in the world in latest QS sustainability rankings

lanthierj Thu, 11/20/2025 - 08:16

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The University of Toronto placed second in the world and first in Canada in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026 (photo by Matt Volpe)

Adina Bresge

Topic

Our Community

Climate Positive Campus

Lawson Climate Institute

President Melanie Woodin

Alumni

Current Students

International

QS World University Rankings

Research & Innovation

Subheadline

The university is recognized for climate leadership, social impact and innovative governance

The University of Toronto has been named one of the top two universities in the world for sustainability by QS World University Rankings: Sustainability – for the fourth year in a row.

The annual ranking by London-based firm Quacquarelli Symonds – which has awarded U of T the No. 1 spot twice – evaluated nearly 2,000 universities on how effectively they address urgent environmental, social and governance challenges. Sweden’s Lund University moved up two spots from last year’s ranking to first place. Rounding out the top five were University College London, the University of Edinburgh and the University of British Columbia.

Melanie Woodin (supplied image)

“The University of Toronto is profoundly committed to building a more sustainable world,” said U of T President Melanie Woodin. “The challenges involved are complex and urgent but together we are showing that progress is possible and there is reason to hope.

“U of T's continued strength in the QS sustainability rankings is a testament to the passionate dedication of our students, faculty, librarians, staff and alumni in achieving a better future for all humanity.”

Woodin pointed to several university-wide initiatives driving U of T’s momentum – from its commitment to making its three campuses climate positive by 2050 and major investments in green infrastructure, to the launch of the Lawson Climate Institute and a growing range of sustainability-focused research and learning opportunities.

“At U of T, we’ve transformed our three campuses into a giant ‘living lab’ for learning, discovery and innovation in sustainability," said Woodin.

“We have received countless requests for information and advice from universities and organizations around the world who are inspired by our example.”

A strong Canadian showing

U of T led a strong showing for Canadian universities in this year’s ranking. It was joined in the top five by UBC, while McGill University and Western University ranked ninth and 24th, respectively.

An offshoot of the QS World University Rankings, the sustainability ranking measures how effectively institutions are addressing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. This year’s methodology draws on more than 50 indicators with assigned weights, grouped into three broad categories: environmental impact, social impact and governance.

U of T’s performance remained strong across the board. It ranked third in the world for both environmental impact and social impact, which respectively assess sustainability-focused education and research, and institutional commitments to equality and inclusion.

Sustainability across the three campuses

U of T’s performance is bolstered by major sustainability initiatives across its three campuses.

At St. George, work is underway on a multi-year shift to electric power at the central steam plant and the implementation of Canada’s largest urban geoexchange system, which will reduce emissions by an estimated 17,000 tonnes.

At U of T Mississauga, Project SHIFT is completing deep energy retrofits, electrification upgrades and steam-to-hot-water conversions designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 6,000 tonnes.

Gurtaj Bajwa, building engineer, monitors geothermal systems in the Instructional Building at the University of Toronto Mississauga (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Meanwhile, U of T Scarborough is advancing clean-tech innovation through the Environmental and Related Technologies Hub (EaRTH), a partnership helping expand the sector in east Toronto and supporting projects such as a net-zero vertical farm.

The EaRTH District at U of T Scarborough aims to transform the eastern GTA into a hub for green-tech innovation

Expanding research, teaching and influence

Guided by the President’s Advisory Committee on the Environment, Climate Change, and Sustainability (CECCS), the university is deepening its academic leadership in sustainability.

Hundreds of faculty researchers contribute to climate-focused work across more than 120 research units and interdisciplinary initiatives. Students, meanwhile, have access to more than 2,000 undergraduate courses and over 115 graduate programs with sustainability content.

A self-cleaning coating developed by researchers at U of T is tested on solar panels at the Exam Centre (photo by Donglin Que)

One of the most significant undergraduate efforts is the Sustainability Pathways Program, which now reaches 86 per cent of students through coursework, experiential learning and campus-as-a-living-lab opportunities. This year, the program introduced a new Sustainability Leadership tier, giving students formal recognition – and up to $2,000 in awards – for taking on real-world sustainability leadership roles on and off campus.

Beyond the classroom, U of T is working closely with local, regional and internal partners to accelerate local climate action. In collaboration with the City of Toronto, the university is supporting youth engagement and climate education through TransformTO as well as the launch of a new pilot climate hub.

On the global stage, U of T plays a leading role in several international sustainability networks as a steering member of the University Climate Change Coalition (UC3) and member of the U7+ Alliance.

As part of this year’s COP30 Action Agenda, U of T and Cambridge University, as co-conveners and founders of the Network of Networks, were together tasked with leading the higher education sector globally in developing accelerated solutions for “education, capacity-building, and job creation to address climate change.”

In photos: U of T marks Remembrance Day 2025 across its three campuses

rahul.kalvapalle — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 18:06:17 +0000

In photos: U of T marks Remembrance Day 2025 across its three campuses

rahul.kalvapalle Tue, 11/11/2025 - 13:06

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(photo by Johnny Guatto)

Topic

Faculty of Arts & Science

Members of the University of Toronto and wider community gathered at Remembrance Day services across the three campuses to pay tribute to those who served and lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars and other conflicts – and to honour those who continue to serve today.

On the St. George campus, hundreds assembled outside Soldiers’ Tower as a recital was performed on the tower’s 51-bell carillon.

Peter MacLaurin, chair of the Soldiers’ Tower committee, offered an Indigenous land acknowledgement and words of welcome – which included paying homage to the contributions of Brig. Oliver Martin, a veteran of the First and Second World Wars who was the first Indigenous person to attain the rank of brigadier in Canada’s military.

U of T President Melanie Woodin then paid tribute to U of T alumni, students, faculty, librarians and staff who have served Canada.

The service also featured a performance of the Naval Hymn, a wreath laying and a recitation of the poem In Flanders Fields, written by U of T alum Lt.-Col. John McCrae in 1915.

At U of T Scarborough, a Remembrance Day ceremony was held in The Meeting Place, with the Highland Creek Colour Guard from Royal Canadian Legion Branch 258 participating in the event for the first time. The ceremonies also included remarks by Linda Johnston, U of T vice-president and principal of U of T Scarborough, and performances by the UTSC Concert Band and Concert Choir & String Orchestra.

U of T Mississauga's Service of Remembrance was held outside the Davis Building. Alexandra Gillespie, U of T vice-president and principal of U of T Mississauga, offered remarks and placed a wreath during the ceremony.

Here's how the U of T community marked Remembrance Day 2025 through the lenses of photographers:

(photo by Johnny Guatto)

Attended by hundreds of U of T community members, the 2025 Remembrance Day ceremony at U of T St. George featured acknowledgements of the 80^th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands by the Canadian Forces, as well as the 80^th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

(photo by Johnny Guatto)

Cpl. Kevin Zhao, left, a student in the Faculty of Music and member of the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Band & Bugles, played the Last Post during the ceremony on the St. George campus. Piper Rory Sinclair, right, followed with a rendition of the Lament.

(photo by Johnny Guatto)

Melanie Woodin, U of T's 17^th president, and Anna Kennedy, chair of U of T’s Governing Council, paid their respects.

(photos by Harry Xu; Johnston by Don Campbell)

U of T Scarborough's Remembrance Day ceremony, held in The Meeting Place, included a march by the Highland Creek Colour Guard from Royal Canadian Legion Branch 258 and remarks from Linda Johnston, U of T vice-president and principal of U of T Scarborough.

(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Alexandra Gillespie (centre), U of T vice-president and principal of U of T Mississauga, Richard Waters (left), representative of United Steelworkers Local 1998 and Faisal Halabeya (right), PhD student of physics and president of the U of T Mississauga Association of Graduate Students, laid wreaths at U of T Mississauga's Service of Remembrance.

(photo by Johnny Guatto)

Maj. John D. Stewart, an alum of Woodsworth College at U of T, laid a wreath at the Soldiers' Tower on the St. George campus.

(photo by Johnny Guatto)

Members of the Hart House Chorus performed the Naval Hymn at the beginning of Remembrance Day ceremonies on the St. George campus. Later, during the placing of wreaths, the choir performed the elegy They Are at Rest and the British hymn I Vow to Thee, My Country.

(photo by Johnny Guatto)

Dianne Saxe, councillor for the City of Toronto's Ward 11 – University-Rosedale (front row, left), and Chrystia Freeland, member of Parliament for University-Rosedale and Canada's special envoy for the reconstruction of Ukraine (front row, right), were among the government representatives to attend the ceremony on the St. George campus. Jessica Bell, member of provincial parliament for University-Rosedale, was also in attendance.

U of T to mark Remembrance Day across its three campuses on Nov. 11

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 15:45:10 +0000

U of T to mark Remembrance Day across its three campuses on Nov. 11

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 11/07/2025 - 10:45

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(photo by Johnny Guatto)

Topic

The University of Toronto community will gather on Nov. 11 to observe Remembrance Day, which this year marks the 80^th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

All three campuses have planned events to honour soldiers and veterans who served in the First and Second World Wars, as well as other conflicts – and all U of T community members are welcome to attend.

U of T will also lower flags across the three campuses to half-mast to acknowledge those who have served, including U of T students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Here’s more information on the ceremonies at U of T St. George, U of T Scarborough and U of T Mississauga:

St. George

The Service of Remembrance takes place at Soldiers’ Tower on the St. George campus. Proceedings begin with a carillon recital by composer-performer Naoko Tsujita at 10:10 a.m., with the official ceremony commencing at 10:30 a.m.

The ceremony will include a land acknowledgement, a reflection on Remembrance Day, a performance of the Naval Hymn by the Hart House Chorus and a recitation of “In Flanders Fields,” written by U of T alum and physician John McCrae. There will also be a commemoration of the 80^th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and a presentation about how Canada helped liberate northwestern Europe. Wreaths will be laid by representatives of the university and the broader community.

U of T President Melanie Woodin is scheduled to attend, as are other dignitaries including local MP Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s special envoy for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

U of T Scarborough

The Remembrance Day ceremony at U of T Scarborough begins at 10:40 a.m. in The Meeting Place, Science Wing.

In addition to a wreath laying and a moment of silence, the ceremony includes performances by the UTSC Concert Band and Concert Choir & String Orchestra. For the first time, the Highland Creek Colour Guard from Royal Canadian Legion Branch 258 will also participate in the event.

Linda Johnston, U of T vice-president and principal of U of T Scarborough, is scheduled to attend and deliver remarks.

U of T Mississauga

The Service of Remembrance at U of T Mississauga starts at 10:45 a.m. outside the Davis Building, near the flagpole. There will be a reading of “In Flanders Fields” during the ceremony, which will last approximately 20 minutes.

Alexandra Gillespie, U of T vice-president and principal of U of T Mississauga, will be in attendance, delivering remarks and laying a wreath during the ceremony.

U of T social work grad shares insights on his 51 km swim across Lake Ontario for trans visibility

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 16:33:42 +0000

U of T social work grad shares insights on his 51 km swim across Lake Ontario for trans visibility

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 11/04/2025 - 11:33

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Lev Goldberg adjusts his goggles in Lake Ontario during a training session at Woodbine Beach (photo by Yaldah Azimi)

Dale Duncan

Topic

Our Community

Alumni

Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work

LGBTQ

Swimming

Subheadline

“We exist. We persist. And we can achieve extraordinary things”

Lev Goldberg recently became the first openly transgender person to swim across Lake Ontario.

An alum of the University of Toronto’s, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, Goldberg completed the 51-kilometre journey from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., to Marilyn Bell Park in Toronto in 24 hours and 25 minutes.

Writer Dale Duncan caught up with Goldberg after his epic swim to find out more about the feat.

When did you first get the idea to swim across Lake Ontario to raise awareness of transgender visibility?

I swam for two years on the swim team as a child and stopped when I was nine. I now realize a factor in that was gender dysphoria and discomfort in my body. I came back to swimming around age 27 – about two years after I had top surgery. It was just for fun, to try something new. I had already been running long distances and knew that very long efforts at sustainable paces are possible.

I then discovered a big open-water swimming community and met people there who had crossed Lake Ontario. One is Kim Lumsdon who has swum across Lake Ontario twice and was training in 2023 to do it again and become the oldest woman to cross the lake. I found her so inspiring. I wondered if there were trans people doing this, but I couldn’t find any trans marathon swimmers. I knew that if I did it, others like me would see themselves reflected.

I think the next trans person to swim across Lake Ontario is probably following this now and that really excites me and makes me so happy.

You are 29 now, which means it was just two years ago that you returned to swimming and thought ‘I’m going to do a 24-hour swim across Lake Ontario.’ That’s impressive.

It’s only sunk in how weird it is after the fact. I started swimming in January 2023 and became aware of open water swimming that February. That June, I did my first open-water training season and was in a 2.5-kilometre race that August. The next summer I found a coach through a queer and trans swim team and I built up to a 10-kilometre race. This year was really the big year when it felt like I was not ever finding the point where I was tired or it was too much. It just seemed very doable – like why couldn’t I do it? Why not?

Who supported you in this journey?

First, my coach, Tai Hollingbery. They were the first person who asked me: Do you have any big swimming goals? And I was like, yes, I want to swim across Lake Ontario! That really began this journey.

I also definitely couldn’t go through this without my family. My dad was here with me for two weeks, driving me places and helping me. My sister lives in North Carolina and came here for 10 days. She’s managed my social media and helped me reach out to potential sponsors and partners. Numerous friends helped with fundraisers. I had a crew on board the boat that drove beside me during the swim. This included my pacers, who took turns swimming with me. There was also a land crew. It’s such a big undertaking – it takes a village for sure. It required a lot of people to spend a lot of time and effort to be part of it, and I’m very, very grateful.

(photo by Yaldah Azimi)

In addition to increasing trans visibility, you are raising funds for the LGBT YouthLine. What inspired you to choose this organization?

I was a peer support volunteer for them when I was first transitioning. It was such a valuable experience – not only because of the skills I gained, but also because of the other youth volunteers that I met. The organization provided a safe space where I could transition socially, where people would use my name and see me for who I was. LGBT YouthLine is valuable from all directions: for the peer support they are providing to youth who need it and for the youth who are giving that support and meeting each other and being part of a community. It was such an important part of my life. It is also just such a fantastic truly justice-oriented organization.

What advice do you have for coaches, teammates or sports administrators who want to be better allies? How can they better support trans youth and adults in sports?

You might not think there’s a trans person in your athletic space or on your team, but you could be wrong about that. There could be someone there who knows they’re trans and are not comfortable being out, or someone who has transitioned and doesn’t feel comfortable sharing that with people. If you want to truly be trans inclusive in your in your space, you need to assume that there are trans people there – or that there should be or will be. Remember also that there are both binary trans people and nonbinary trans people. Not having any option outside male and female is a barrier and can be so harmful.

How does your role as a social worker overlap with your goal to raise trans visibility and resilience as a long-distance swimmer?

My work as a youth and family therapist at Central Toronto Youth Services really connects me with my purpose and what I’m doing. I work almost exclusively with trans youth in their Pride and Prejudice Program and see how hard it is for kids to be experiencing a world that is getting worse for them in many ways. I’ve witnessed people much younger than me go through a lot of suffering and yet show so much resilience.

What’s next for you?

I’ve been so honored and grateful to those who stepped up to help me with my crossing. So, I’m going to get my boating license and I’m hoping to support at least one other person’s crossing next year. Once you’ve done it, you just want to get other people across. I want to help make someone else’s dreams possible.

I like cold water swims, so I’m also training for an ice mile, which is 1.6 kilometers in 5 C or less. I’ll definitely do another marathon swim next year as well. Ultimately, I want to swim all five Great Lakes.

Is there anything about your experience that hasn’t yet been shared?

A lot of people have called the crossing grueling. Grueling means punishing, but I had fun the whole time. I don’t do things that are miserable.

The other word I don’t like is “conquer.” I don’t think anyone conquers a Great Lake. It’s an enormous, majestic powerful force of nature and it is was due to the grace of the lake that I was allowed to cross. Many people work as hard as me, swim better than me and the conditions do not allow them to cross. No one, in my opinion, conquers a force of nature – a body of water. It’s not about that at all.

Meet the U of T dentistry grad who helped name the Toronto Blue Jays

rahul.kalvapalle — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:50:32 +0000

Meet the U of T dentistry grad who helped name the Toronto Blue Jays

rahul.kalvapalle Fri, 10/24/2025 - 14:50

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William Mills (left) poses with New York Yankees star Mickey Mantle at CNE Stadium on Sept. 2, 1976, after winning a name-the-team contest which resulted in the Toronto Blue Jays' name (photo by Dick Loek/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Topic

Subheadline

William Mills, who earned a doctor of dental surgery from the Faculty of Dentistry, won a public contest to name the team in 1976

As the Toronto Blue Jays prepare to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2025 World Series, one University of Toronto alumnus is celebrating his special connection to the team.

He helped name them.

William Mills, 84, who graduated from U of T’s Faculty of Dentistry with a doctor of dental surgery degree in 1964 and a diploma in periodontics in 1967, entered a public naming contest in 1976 when Major League Baseball added a Toronto team. The contest received more than 30,000 submissions, including 4,000 unique names. A panel of 14 judges shortlisted the top 10 for the new club’s board of directors, who landed on the now-iconic “Blue Jays.”

“My two elder daughters and I decided to enter the contest, but I was completely surprised to win,” says Mills, who recalls submitting other names such as “Toronto Blues" – actually the top choice among fans, but nixed due to U of T already using the "Toronto Varsity Blues."

“We felt that Toronto team colours were usually blue, and Labatt were involved, so blue would be our colour choice. A few other teams were named after birds, such as the Baltimore Orioles and the St. Louis Cardinals, so we agreed that the Blue Jays would fit the bill.”

A total of 153 other baseball lovers submitted the same name, so the club held a draw to select the grand prize winner. That was Mills, who received a trip to Florida for the inaugural Jays spring training and two season tickets for all the 1977 home games.

He also enjoyed some VIP treatment. “We got into the clubhouse, met the coaches and players and even got to speak with Pat Gillick, who became the general manager the next year,” says Mills. “He talked to us about strategy and the player attributes – it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

"As part of the promotion for the new team, I even got to meet Mickey Mantle from the New York Yankees. I was absolutely on cloud nine.”

A baseball signed by Toronto Blue Jays players and manager Roy Hartsfield in 1977 (supplied image)

A lifelong baseball fan, Mills played in high school and made annual trips to Montreal with his kids to watch the Expos before Toronto got its team – often braving rain and snow.

But the new Toronto team and its fans also coped with all sorts of weather, as the Jays played in the open-air Canadian National Exhibition Stadium (the SkyDome, now called the Rogers Centre – with its retractable roof – opened in 1989).

“I vividly remember that first game – it was Thursday, April 7, 1977, the Jays beat the White Sox 9-5, and it snowed,” he says. “As I recall, we lost twice as many games as we won that first year. There were many rain-outs where you’d wait at least an hour before they called the game off.”

In the team’s early years, Mills marvelled at talented young players like pitchers Dave Stieb and James Clancy and first baseman Doug Ault.

Mills outside his dental office with a copy of the Oct. 15, 1992, Toronto Sun announcing the World Series versus the Atlanta Braves (supplied image)

In the 1980s, Mills and a group of friends bought season tickets in the second level. Since then, Mills has attended a few games a year and often tunes in on television. He fondly recalls being in the stands for some of the 1992 and 1993 World Series games – usually in the nosebleed section.

Nearly 50 years after he and his family wracked their brains for the best possible Toronto baseball team name, he remains a devoted fan and says he won’t miss any of the World Series games, watching either at home or in Ottawa with some of his daughters.

“This year’s Blue Jays aren’t just playing well – they’re playing together,” Mills says. "They’ve brought the city and the country together as our national team: united, determined and ready to give it everything they’ve got. Go Jays Go!"

The University of Toronto is hosting a giant watch party for every World Series game on its St. George campus. See details about where to go and what to bring

From oral care to culinary flair: U of T dentistry grad shines on MasterChef Canada

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 15:28:26 +0000

From oral care to culinary flair: U of T dentistry grad shines on MasterChef Canada

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 10/17/2025 - 11:28

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Liz Worndl, who graduated from U of T’s Faculty of Dentistry in 2020, on the set of MasterChef Canada (photo by Geoff George/Bell Media)

Topic

Subheadline

Liz Worndl says cooking and dentistry share many similarities, including the need for deft hand control, a precise approach and plenty of practice to perfect techniques

While working to complete her doctor of dental surgery degree at the University of Toronto, Liz Worndl found time to pursue her passion for cooking as a founding member of the Faculty of Dentistry’s Culinary Club.

Now, she’s showcasing her culinary talents on the reality TV show MasterChef Canada, earning a white apron to match her white dentistry coat.

“It’s been a dream of mine to be on this show for a long time – I’m a shameless MasterChef superfan,” says Worndl, who graduated five years ago. “It’s so inspiring to see home cooks put themselves out there and pursue their dreams.”

Some of those past home cooks include fellow U of T alumni Christopher Siu, who was the winner of Season 7, and Mary Berg, winner of Season 3 and now one of the show’s three hosts. Worndl considered applying to be a contestant during her final year of dental school, but when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in early 2020, the show went on hiatus.

She was finally able to apply for Season 8, after “months of hitting refresh on the casting call page.”

Worndl says her passion for cooking began in the kitchen with her Ukrainian grandmother, who loved to feed the family. Although she didn't realize it at the time, she was developing essential fine motor skills that would prove useful in her future career.

“When I was applying to dental school, I was asked about tactile experience working with my hands,” she says. “My knife and cooking skills have definitely been transferable to dentistry. Yes, ingredients are usually larger than teeth, but it’s the same concept.”

Worndl – pictured on the left – at the Faculty of Dentistry’s White Coat Ceremony in 2016 (photo by Jeff Comber)

She continued to hone her kitchen skills after founding the faculty’s culinary club, where classmates gathered to cook, share dishes and learn from one another. Worndl says the life of a dental student is incredibly busy, but that cooking has always been her outlet – even now as she works full-time as a dentist in Toronto.

“No matter how busy I am, at the end of the day cooking has always helped me unwind and relieve the day’s stress,” she says. “Dentistry is often so precise without a lot of wiggle room – it’s like following a recipe. I get to let my creativity go with my cooking, make a delicious meal and enjoy it afterward.”

While she can’t reveal any spoilers, Worndl describes her MasterChef Canada experience as both extremely challenging and the most exciting thing she’s ever done.

“Before the filming started, I was studying and practicing techniques,” Worndl says. “It felt very reminiscent of getting ready for dental school.”

Worndl isn’t sure what the future holds, but she hopes it includes both dentistry and cooking.

“This opportunity was my foot in the door to pursue my food dream, but it certainly doesn’t mean I’m leaving my dental career behind,” she says. “Dentistry can be so technical and stressful, and having side passions allows me to be my best self, including in my role as a dentist. My dream is to continue to share my creations with the world.”

U of T leads Canada in PitchBook entrepreneurship rankings

rahul.kalvapalle — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 15:55:49 +0000

U of T leads Canada in PitchBook entrepreneurship rankings

rahul.kalvapalle Fri, 10/10/2025 - 11:55

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(photo by Kevin Fung)

Adina Bresge

Topic

Our Community

Leah Cowen

U of T Entrepreneurship

Alumni

Artificial Intelligence

Entrepreneurship

Quantum Computing

Startups

Subheadline

The annual rankings track undergraduate and graduate alumni founders of venture-backed companies

From AI to quantum computing, University of Toronto graduates are shaking up existing industries – and forging brand new ones – by launching and scaling high-impact startup companies in Canada and around the world.

Their collective impact is captured in a recent ranking by Pitchbook, which named U of T Canada’s top university for producing venture-backed entrepreneurs and 17th in the world for producing undergraduate alumni founders.

The Seattle-based financial data and research company’s annual ranking draws on a global database of venture capital and startup activity to rank the world’s top 100 universities based on the number of alumni who raised venture capital in the last decade.

“The incredible accomplishments of our alumni founders demonstrate how the resources, networks and expertise available at the University of Toronto are building a culture of entrepreneurship that turns ideas into impact,” said Leah Cowen, U of T’s vice-president, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives.

“These ventures create jobs, draw investment and deliver solutions in Canada and beyond.”

The 2025 edition of the Pitchbook ranking analyzed more than 173,000 entrepreneurs to rank universities’ alumni at the undergraduate, graduate and MBA levels, along with separate lists for female founders.

U of T rose eight spots from last year to place 17^th globally on the undergraduate alumni list – and eighth among public institutions globally. The university also performed strongly in the graduate and MBA alumni categories, placing 25^th and 36^thin the world, respectively.

Female founders were a particular bright spot. U of T ranked 15^th worldwide for undergraduate female founders and 25^th for graduate female founders – again leading the country in both measures.

Four other Canadian institutions joined U of T in the top 50 for undergraduate alumni entrepreneurs: University of Waterloo (18^th), McGill University (22^nd), Western University (40^th) and University of British Columbia (44^th).

U of T undergraduate alum Nick Frosst, right, co-founded AI startup Cohere after working with U of T University Professor Geoffrey Hinton, right. The pair are pictured here at a talk hosted by journalist Nora Young, centre (photo by Kevin Fung)

Globally, the top five undergraduate spots went to the University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Because companies can have multiple founders – and founders can have attended more than one school – the same entrepreneur may be counted toward the totals of multiple institutions.

PitchBook’s tally of alumni founders only captures one facet of U of T’s broader entrepreneurial ecosystem. Beyond alumni ventures financed in other ways, the university also fuels student startups, faculty-led companies and spin-offs of U of T intellectual property.

U of T’s strong performance in the Pitchbook ranking was echoed in a separate ranking by Fast Company, which placed U of T 21^st in its global Ignition Schools 2025 list – the second time in two years that U of T has been ranked number one in Canada by the U.S. business magazine. That ranking is based on an evaluation of research, patents and number of startups formed, as well as Pitchbook data about alumni and venture capital activity.

Altogether, entrepreneurs from the U of T community have launched more than 1,500 venture-backed startups, raising more than $14 billion and creating more than 20,000 jobs in the past five years alone, according to figures compiled by U of T Entrepreneurship.

Among the ventures contributing to this momentum are Waabi, an autonomous driving company founded by Raquel Urtasun, a professor of computer science, and Xanadu, a quantum computing firm launched by former U of T postdoctoral researcher Christian Weedbrook.

The success of these and other companies reflects U of T’s growing strength in fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and other emerging technologies, said Jon French, director of U of T Entrepreneurship.

Raquel Urtasun, a U of T professor of computer science, founded the autonomous trucking company Waabi (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Alumni who worked with luminaries like Geoffrey Hinton, University Professor emeritus of computer science and recipient of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics, have gone on to launch a new generation of AI companies, French added, helping establish Toronto as a hub for cutting-edge research and commercialization. That includes Cohere, an AI startup co-founded by U of T alumni Aidan Gomez, Nick Frosst and Ivan Zhang, that raised $500 million in August.

At the same time, many entrepreneurial alumni are paying it forward – from gifts that strengthen campus accelerators to supporting the next wave of innovators and entrepreneurs – ensuring that today’s students and researchers have the supports and resources to take their ideas from classrooms and labs to commercialization.

“We have a ‘no wrong door’ philosophy,” French said. “It doesn't matter what you study or where you study, or what your background is. There are access points across the University of Toronto because of the breadth and depth in research domain expertise and the inclusive nature of our community.”

U of T announces Eva and Allen Lau Commercialization Catalyst Prize for Computing & Engineering Innovation to support aspiring entrepreneurs

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 14:23:02 +0000

U of T announces Eva and Allen Lau Commercialization Catalyst Prize for Computing & Engineering Innovation to support aspiring entrepreneurs

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 10/09/2025 - 10:23

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(photos by University of Toronto, including image of the Stewart L. Blusson Visualization Facility)

Topic

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Faculty of Arts & Science

Innovation

Startups

A $2-million gift from entrepreneurs and University of Toronto alumni Eva Lau and Allen Lau will enable full-time graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and faculty members affiliated with U of T’s Faculty of Arts & Science and the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering to transform their early-stage ideas into real-world solutions.

The two faculties will provide matching funds, doubling the impact of this gift.

The Eva and Allen Lau Commercialization Catalyst Prize for Computing & Engineering Innovation is designed to bridge the funding gap between the initial phase of an invention and the stage when it becomes an investment-ready venture. The prize will support mentorship, workspace and access to prototyping labs.

Awarded annually to two teams, one each from Arts & Science and Engineering, the prize targets startup ideas that aim to commercialize technology and material innovations in the computing field, such as semiconductors, AI, robotics and quantum technologies. Projects in more traditional fields such as biotechnology, chemical or mining engineering will be eligible if their core innovations relate to the computing field.

Students looking to get their ideas off the ground face many challenges, and this award provides the tangible support and boost of confidence they need to succeed.

“The Eva and Allen Lau Commercialization Catalyst Prize is a testament to the Laus’ leadership in advancing innovation and entrepreneurship in the tech industry,” said Christopher Yip, dean of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. “Their gift builds on U of T’s strengths in cultivating entrepreneurial talent and technology-based startups. Students looking to get their ideas off the ground face many challenges, and this award provides the tangible support and boost of confidence they need to succeed.”

“Eva and Allen Lau’s generosity is providing a wonderful opportunity to our community of innovators who are working to commercialize game-changing ideas,” added Stephen Wright, interim dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science. “We are grateful to the Laus for championing novel applications of today’s technologies with the potential to change the way we think and live.”

“As U of T alumni, we are thrilled to launch this new prize to support talented U of T students in commercializing transformative ideas in next-frontier computing and bringing them to market,” said Eva and Allen Lau in a statement. “The university’s research capacity, strong networks and culture of calculated risk-taking for the benefit of society make it an ideal place for aspiring entrepreneurs to turn bold ideas into real-world impact.”

Bolstering U of T’s leadership in entrepreneurship

The prize reinforces U of T’s reputation as an innovation and entrepreneurship powerhouse: U of T is top five in the world for university startup incubators, has created more than 1,200 venture-backed startups and is ranked among the world’s top 10 universities powering global innovation in critical areas like technology, health care, sustainability and economic development.

“We are delighted that Eva and Allen Lau have chosen to support a key stage of the entrepreneurial pipeline that can make all the difference to a student entrepreneur’s success,” said Leah Cowen, vice-president of research and innovation, and strategic initiatives. “Their gift provides a generous boost to an innovation ecosystem focused on solving a wide range of challenges with the potential for global impact.”

The university’s numerous partnerships with key industry players and world-class hospitals, along with its global alumni network, mean U of T entrepreneurs can leverage a wide range of connections to help fulfill the potential of their ideas.

Entrepreneurs-turned-investors who are making an impact

Eva and Allen Lau (photo by Natalie Dolan)

Eva and Allen are longstanding U of T volunteers and champions of the university’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Eva holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from U of T and serves as a member of its Defy Gravity Campaign Steering Committee. Her mentorship and advocacy have played a vital role in supporting the university’s efforts to empower the next generation of innovators.

Allen earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from U of T. A visionary entrepreneur, he was inducted into the U of T Engineering Alumni Hall of Distinction in 2020, recognizing his outstanding contributions to his field and to the university community.

The couple co-founded Two Small Fish Ventures – an early-stage deep tech venture capital firm with a focus on the next frontier of computing – where Eva is general partner and Allen is operating partner. Allen also co-founded Wattpad, the social storytelling platform where he was CEO and Eva was a founding team member.

“We are deeply grateful to Eva and Allen Lau for demonstrating the role philanthropy plays in driving innovation and entrepreneurship and serving as inspiration to our broad community of supporters looking to drive meaningful change,” said David Palmer, U of T’s vice-president of advancement.

‘Nudging on the edge of fame’: Heritage Minute remembers giraffe expert Anne Innis Dagg

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 19:30:32 +0000

‘Nudging on the edge of fame’: Heritage Minute remembers giraffe expert Anne Innis Dagg

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 10/02/2025 - 15:30

Cutline

(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Topic

Faculty of Arts & Science

U of T Mississauga

Subheadline

The U of T alumna, who received an honorary degree from the university in 2021, published more than 60 academic papers and 20 books over her career

“When I was little, my mother took me to the zoo. My love affair began right there – I wanted to know everything about giraffes.”

This opening line from a new Heritage Minute about University of Toronto alumna Anne Innis Dagg sets the stage for her solo, self-organized trip to South Africa in 1956, where she spent a year observing giraffes for up to 10 hours a day.

Dagg, who became one of the world’s foremost experts on giraffes, graduated from U of T’s Faculty of Arts & Science with an undergraduate degree in biology and a master’s degree in genetics before her trip. She later completed a PhD in animal behaviour at the University of Waterloo.

“For the Minutes, we look for people and events who have helped shape the country,” says Anthony Wilson-Smith, president and CEO of Historica Canada, the charitable organization that produces about three of the educational spots each year. “She was groundbreaking for both her gender, and the overall work she did. She contributed greatly in the study of wildlife.”

Yet, Dagg – who died in 2024 at the age of 91 – never got the traditional academic career she wanted (she didn’t receive a tenure position at the University of Guelph, which later apologized when Dagg visited the university for the screening of the 2018 documentary about her work: The Woman Who Loves Giraffes), nor the funding to do more research in Africa.

Nevertheless, she published more than 60 academic papers and 20 books over her career, including The Giraffe: Its Biology, Behavior, and Ecology in 1976 – widely considered the seminal text on the mammal. The book’s second edition, published in 2014, was retitled Giraffe: Behavior, and Conservation.

“We often try to make Minutes about people who are nudging on the edge of fame. They have huge achievements but are not as well-known as perhaps they should be,” Wilson-Smith says.

U of T recognized Dagg with an honorary degree in 2021 and her convocation address urged students to pursue their curiosity even if they faced challenges. In 2023, she delivered the Snider Lecture at U of T Mississauga.

Dagg’s ties to U of T ran deep. She was the daughter of Harold Innis, a professor of political economy and namesake of Innis College, and writer Mary Quayle Innis, who served as dean of women at University College. Many of their papers and photographs, including images of Anne as a child, are housed at the U of T Archives in the Innis Family fonds.

Joan Simalchik, an associate professor emeritus in the department of historical studies at U of T Mississauga, served as a consultant for the Heritage Minute, which was filmed at the Toronto Zoo.

Dagg’s daughter, Mary Dagg, praised the Heritage Minute’s portrayal.

“It really captures my mother,” says Dagg, who helped her mom launch the Anne Innis Dagg Foundation in 2020 to promote education and conservation, with a particular focus on giraffes.

“She slugged away for 70 years where nobody was paying much attention to all the stuff she was doing.”

'Thanks for the Liver': U of T alumni share friendship — and a lifesaving gift

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 19:27:51 +0000

'Thanks for the Liver': U of T alumni share friendship — and a lifesaving gift

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 09/19/2025 - 15:27

Faculty of Arts & Science

Cutline

Fraser Allan Best and his partner Kathryn Pierce walk around the hospital post surgery. Pierce helped Best capture some of the documentary’s most emotional moments (image courtesy of Fraser Allan Best)

David Goldberg

Topic

City & Culture

Alumni

Faculty of Arts & Science

Subheadline

In a new documentary film, Fraser Allan Best tells a deeply personal story about receiving a liver transplant from a friend and fellow alum

University of Toronto students enjoy many benefits after they graduate: mentorship, career opportunities and lifelong friendships. For Fraser Allan Best, one of those friendships became a literal lifesaver.

In 2020, he received a transformative gift from friend and fellow alum Robbie Grant: a liver transplant.

Fraser Allan Best (supplied image)

Best chronicles his remarkable journey from life-threatening illness to liver transplant and recovery in Thanks for the Liver, a new documentary premiering Sept. 20 at Toronto's Hot Docs Cinema. Made from more than 300 hours of candid video, it’s a personal film that captures the emotions and challenges of the experience.

“I’m not only in excellent health, but I’ve also achieved a quality of life that I never had before the transplant,” says Best, who earned his honours bachelor of arts degree in 2015 as a member of Victoria College.

Best was diagnosed at birth with glycogen storage disease (GSD) type 1b, which prevented his liver from producing essential sugars the body needs to function between meals. His genetic condition affects fewer than 100 people across Canada.

In 2017, Best worked as a journalist in Washington D.C. and had just accepted an offer for his dream job writing for his favourite magazine when his health started failing. Breathless, fatigued and constantly thirsty, he headed back to Toronto for medical care.

Doctors at the University Health Network ran a battery of tests leading to a stark diagnosis: his liver was throwing his body into chaos. Scans revealed scarring and tumours at high risk of turning into cancer.

Best needed a new liver or he was going to die. He was only 27 years old.

He turned down the job at the magazine.

Best’s parents volunteered as donors, but they were too old. His sister Kate would have agreed in a heartbeat, but she too was born with GSD –another hope dashed.

That’s when Grant entered the picture. He, too, had earned his honours bachelor of arts degree from U of T’s Faculty of Arts & Science in 2015, albeit as a member of University College. And the pair had run in the same social circles throughout university. After graduation, Grant and Best kindled a strong friendship stoked by debates and the knowledge they gained from their courses in philosophy and political science.

When he learned what his friend was going through, Grant didn’t hesitate to volunteer. Weeks later, doctors confirmed Grant’s liver was a perfect match.

“Fraser had a significant risk of death if he didn’t get the organ. For me, if I go through with the surgery, my risk of death is like a fraction of a per cent,” says Grant. “Even long-term serious medical complications from my surgery are extremely rare. It was clearly the right thing to do.”

In August 2020, Grant went under the knife. Doctors removed part of his liver and put it on ice. Grant was stable and expected to recover well.

Next, Best underwent a 12-hour surgery.

Initially, the transplant was a success, but Best developed a near-fatal infection that required another emergency surgery. Despite these complications, he was able to go home after just a few weeks.

The transplant cured Best's GSD. He’ll always have to take anti-rejection medication, but his life has forever changed.

“I joke with Robbie that I'm happy to be two per cent him, statistically, because my liver is Robbie’s DNA,” says Best, who met up with Grant and friends this past August to celebrate their five-year “transplantiversary.” They bashed open a liver-shaped pinata.

Robbie Grant (left) and Fraser Allan Best recently celebrated their five-year “transplantiversary” (image courtesy of Fraser Allan Best)

Grant and Best are both enjoying healthy lives. They’re eager for the premiere of Thanks for the Liver, the culmination of Best’s lifelong dream to become a filmmaker, which all began at U of T a decade before his transplant.

As part of Victoria College’s Vic One program, Best had been enrolled in the Jewison Stream, where he honed his creative storytelling skills and met the course’s namesake, the late Norman Jewison, an Oscar-nominated director and distinguished U of T alum.

“Having that experience was a beautiful thing at that time in my life,” says Best. “U of T allowed me to find a group of people oriented toward making things creatively. The more I think about it, the road to this documentary really has its roots in that first year at U of T.”

For Grant, the decision to donate has become about much more than saving one friend's life. He hopes the film will have a ripple effect, inspiring people to help others in all kinds of ways.

“We don’t have that many opportunities to do really good things in life – truly noble things,” says Grant, who graduated from U of T’s Faculty of Law in 2020.

“I hope people watching the film think about taking that opportunity to do something meaningful for another human being.”